Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3281, Edward Eldredge, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Eldredge, Edward
R. 3281
Eldrege
n Eldridge
CONTENTS

Edward Eldredge Application for a pension
22052

State of New York Rensselaer County
Is on this twenty sixth day of Decem- ber in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me George A Davis, one of the Judges, of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the said County of Rensselaer of the degree of counsellor at law Edward Eldredge a resident of Hoosick in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York aged eighty five years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, that he enlisted in the year 1777 in the latter part of the year in the fall or winter, that he cannot recollect with certainty the month in which he enlisted but thinks it was in Decem- ber, that he enlisted for the term of three months in a company of Militia commanded by Cap- tain Manasseh Rensselaer and of which Thom- as Cook was first Lieutenant and Joseph Pope second Lieutenant, that Colonel Hathaway commanded the Regiment to which said company belonged and that their general name was James M c Varnum, that he enlisted at a place then called Dartmouth in the State of Massachusetts and marched to Tiverton Rhode Island and was there employed in guarding the British lines, that the enemy were then encamped at Portsmouth within sight of the American forces that he remained stationed there until his three months was expired and was then discharged that he received a written discharge, that there were no continental troops at Tiverton while he was stationed there nor any regular officers that he can now recollect of

That there were Militia and State Troops stationed there at the same time but that he cannot now recollect the names of their officers or whether they were regular full regiments under command of field officers or not. That in addition to the three months above stated he served as a minute man called out on alarms at various times during the revolutionary war not less than one year, that he first turned out as volunteer as a minute man on the 21 st of April in the year 1775 for the purpose of going to Lexington to meet the enemy, that he was then living in the town of Fair Haven called Dartmouth in the State of Massachusetts at which place he lived during the war. That the battle was over before he got to Lexington & he was directed to return which he did, and was directed to hold himself in readiness to turn out at a moments warning that he was gone at this time in service two days, that from this time until the close of the war he was frequently called out on alarms almost every week & sometimes two or three times a week & some times every day, that his captain under which he served as such minute man was Daniel Agery that the names of the other officers he cannot recollect who had command over the company in which he belonged while he served as such minute man, that he cannot state the number of times he was actually out or at what particular times he was out or how long at each particular time. That he went to Bedford, to Rhode Island to Elizabeth Islands and various other places along the coast that the time spent in actual service in each of these expeditions was generally from one to three days, that he has no memorandum of these services or any of them

and that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot state more particularly about these services which he performed as such minute man but that in the whole according to the best of his recollection he served as a private soldier in the Revolutionary war not less than fifteen months , that while he served as a minute man there were no other officers or Troops with those he served except those to which he belonged, That he has no documentary evidence of his services, nor does he know of any person living who was personally knowing to him, having served as above stated, that he is very old & infirm and in consequence of his bodily infirmity is unable to attend court which is held in the county where he resides, at the City of Troy about thirty miles from his residence
1 st That he was born in the Town of Dartmouth in the State of Massachusetts, in the year 1747 2 nd That he has no record of his age, but that his age is recorded in his father's bible which is now in possession of his nephew 3 rd That he was living when he entered the service at Dartmouth aforesaid and that he continued to reside there until about thirty years ago & from there removed to Hoosick in the State of New York where he now resides & has continued to reside ever since 4 th That he entered the service as a volunteer 5 th That the names of all the officers, that he can remember who were with the Troops where he served are fully stated in his declaration

above and that no continental troops were at any time with the Militia in which he served nor can he recollect of any other militia Regiments being with the Regiment to which he belonged while he was in the service and that the general circumstances of his service are as fully stated in the above declaration as he can from his knowledge & recollection state the same
6 th That he never received a written discharge 7 th That the names of the persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution are Anthony Van Suydam
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Geo R Davis One of the Judges of Poughkeepsie County N.Y. Edward Eldredge
We Anthony Van Suydam residing in the town of Hordick & Israel Keecha Kuykman residing in the town of Hordick hereby certify that we are acquainted with Edward Eldredge who has subscribed hereto to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty five years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid Anthony his mark Van Suydam Geo R Davis One of the Judges of Poughkeepsie County Court Israel Keecha

State of New-York Rensselaer County } ss.
I, George R. Davis, one of the Judges of the County Courts of said County, hereby certify that Edward Eldredge, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, is from bodily infirmity unable to attend at any of the courts of said County. That after investigating the matter & putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, it is my opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, & served as he states. That Israel Keach, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, residing in Hoosick, & Anthony Van Dyk, who has signed the same, is a resident of the same town, & is a credible person; & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Geo R Davis one of the Judges of Rensselaer County Court
State of New-York Rensselaer County ss.
I, Henry R. Bristol Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that George R. Davis Esqr. before whom the proceeding application & proceedings for a Pension purports to have been made and sworn, was on the day of the date of the same one of the Judges of Rensselaer County Courts. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name above subscribed to be his proper hand writing and signature.
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this tenth day of January 1833.
Henry R. Bristol Clerk

State of New York } Rensselaer County } ss. Ruby Eldridge of lawful age being duly sworn deponeth and saith that she is the daughter of Edward Eldridge of Hooick that she is now sixty five years of age and was during the Revolutionary war residing at home at her father's house in Dartmouth now called Fair Haven in the state of Massachusetts that she well remembers of her father being absent a number of months during the war in the service of his country as a soldier that she recollects perfectly well his coming home & getting his clothes & going & also his returning again and that this deponent at the time & since has always understood that he was in the service three months as an enlisted soldier This deponent also further states that during the Revolutionary war her father was what was termed a minute man and that they lived in an exposed region where the enemy were continually landing & committing depredations and that her father was obliged to be in readiness to turn out whenever an alarm was given and that he did to this deponent's knowledge repeatedly turn out & go at different times in the service of his country a week & fortnight at a time as occasion might require and that the number of times he was so out this deponent cannot recollect or state nor the precise length of time he was so out but that according to this deponent's best recollection & belief the time he spent in service as a soldier in the revolution in addition to his three months service must have been

three months at least and further this deponent saith not her Witness John Fitch Ruby X Eldridge mark
State of New York,
Rensselaer County } ss On this 5 th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four Ruby Eldridge came personally before me the subscriber and being by me duly sworn made oath and stated that the facts contained in the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed were true as the same were therein stated and I do fur- ther certify that the said Ruby Eldridge is a credible person & that her statement is entitled to full credit
John Fitch Commissioner of Deeds, for Renss County
State of New York
Rensselaer County } ss I, Henry R. Bristol Clerk of said County do hereby certify that John Fitch before whom the above foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the same a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said County duly authorized to take the same and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature subscribed to the above certificate, to be his proper hand writing and signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 25 th day of November 1834.
Henry R. Bristol Clerk pro e v. Howard jun d Deputy
Rev. J. Pierson
Rev. J. Pierson age 200

22052 Canada Oldbridge Pensylvania 6° N York
3281 - e
Sussex
G. A. Davis Troy N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Edward Clancey
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Dec. 2 1777 3 Private Capt Brington Capt Agnew Col. Nathan of Vermont March to Rhode Island Tiverton 35 years Dartmouth Mass tt Tracutic up a Blagdon  
The claimant states that he served as a Minute man one year - was called out frequently - but can not recollect the different times, or the officers under whom he served
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
 If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Infirmity Infirmitas

State of New York
Rensselaer County ss. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Rensselaer Edward Eldredge who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his each of his terms of service nor the precise time or times at which they were performed but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: 1. For three months, I served as a private soldier in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Mawdsack Kemptton and of which Thomas Cook was first Lieutenant that their  my Colonel's name was Hathaway his given name not recollected and that his  my General's name was James M. Varnum. For two  three days I served as a private soldier in April 1775. that I turned out at this time on an alarm, it was at the time of the Lexington Battle that I volunteered for the purpose of going to Lexington but the battle was over before I got to Lexington and had was, directed by an officer sent out as this deponent understood for the purpose of stopping the Militia & directing them to return that I then returned being absent in service at least three  two days. This was my first service - For one week I served as a private soldier in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Daniel Egly that we went from Dartmouth mentioned in my declaration hereby amended to Fall River in the State of Rhode Island and was there employed in keeping guard for one week & then dismissed - For two days I served as,

a private soldier in an alarm that we went over onto the Island (Rhode Island) but was obliged to retreat being driven from the Island by the enemy this was while  before the British were in  took possession of the Island, that I was then under the command of Captain Egby - For three weeks I served as a private soldier in same company of militia under Captain Egby that this service was at the time the enemy burnt New Bedford that we went on an alarm to a place called Fair Haven was in service three weeks, & then dismissed & returned home - For one month I served as a private soldier in keeping guard and on fatigue at a Fort standing at Penobscot for the defence of Fair Haven - New Bedford and while there was under the command of Captain Gordon his given name not recollected this service was all performed before the enemy took possession of Rhode Island after the enemy burnt New Bedford and at different times but the precise time, I cannot recollect so as to state
For five days I served as a private soldier in Captain Egby's company of militia that this service was performed on an alarm in going to an Island called Cuddyhunk being one of the Elizabeth town Islands and was absent from home in service in going returning & while there five days -
For one week I served as a private soldier in Captain Egby's company at a place called Wareham in the state of Massachusetts while there I was employed in standing guard being called out on an alarm the enemy having landed at

Wareham & burnt some dwellings - For one week I served as a private soldier in Captain Egby's company at a place called Feltonworth in the state of Massachu- setts that I turned out at this time on an alarm and was employed in keeping guard for one week & then dismissed
For two weeks I served as a private soldier under command of Captain Egby aforesaid at a place called Narrowsgangut in the state of Rhode Island that while there I was employ- -ed in standing guard to prevent the British from landing - For two weeks I served as a private soldier in Captain Egby's company at a place called Martha's Vineyard went there on an alarm and was employed while there in standing guard that these services on alarms were all performed while the enemy were in possession of Rhode Island excepting the first at the time of the battle of Lexington which are all the services which I can particularly state as to the precise length of time of each time and the place or places at which they were respect- -ively performed but that in addition to the above times enumerated I served as a private during the time the enemy were in possession of Rhode Island not less than six months in all but it is utterly out of my power to give a particular detail of each time of said services as they were generally for a short period at each time & the service I performed was mostly keeping guard being in no battle during the war but were performed in guarding the coast at different points turning out upon alarms given on account of the enemy's landing or approaching the shore that my services as above stated amount to one year and nineteen  thirteen days during which time I was not engaged in any civil pursuit

and the services above detailed amount in the whole to six months, & sixteen days for which I claim a pension and submit to the remaining time of six months entire- ly to the decision of the department whether or not the same is to be included in my services for which I am entitled to a Pension not being able to state any thing further in relation thereto. and there- fore I submit my claim stating such facts only as come within my recollection Subscribed to and sworn before me this 10 th day of } Edward Eldredge June 1833
Henry Patterson } Justice Peace
State of New York
Rensselaer County ss. I, Henry C. Bristol Clerk of said County. Do hereby Certify that Henry Patterson Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his signature subscribed to the Certificate of said affidavit to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 13 th day of July 1833.
Henry C. Bristol Clerk for N. Howard Junr. Deputy
6-mo 19. 33

2281
P. O. Edward L. Lridge
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Geo R Davis Jan'y 22 1833
22, 1832
Rev:
New York
Suspended act 7 Jan '32 Let 2 Jan'y 1835. Hon'd Pierson Letter 5 Nov. 1839
To G. R. Davis
Hon. S. D. Calhoun May 28 1846. 1832

Thom Pearson
2 Jan'y 1835
O.C.
W. C. D. ...
2
... to ...
... the ...
... the ...
...
(Rec. Vol. 33, pa 302.)
...
...

War Dept Pension Off D. C. 34
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Edward Eldridge heretofore suspended for proof of service has been again examined. The additional testimony of two ladies one of them his daughter who is now 65 years old and is not deemed sufficient when it is known that evidence of a higher grade is within the power of the claimant. The records of the Office of State Dept of Mass'ts should furnish evidence of the militia service alleged by claimant and the numerous survivors still residing in that State afford abundant means of establishing any service rendered under her authority
act 7 June
Hon J. Pearson

Please report this case to me.
Mr. Deane says this is a good case R. M.

Troy Rensselaer County N Y January 16. 1855
Dear S. P. Waldo
Concerning the case
At the request of the son of Edward Eldridge who applied for a pension as early as 1833 - I examined the papers on file in your department, and it appears that the proof was taken before me as Judge -
The case was suspended. It appears to me that a case is made out, and I may I ask your attention to the same -
I knew the applicant well, living for over twenty years in the same town with him. He was a very respectable citizen, & was reported to have been in the revolutionary service.
I hope you may give the case your examination, and if you do, I think you will conclude with me, that the pension should be granted
Most truly
Geo R Davis

I James Brandon Now of the Town of Saratoga in the County of Saratoga and State of New York,
being truly as above and I swear that I was well acquainted with Edward Oldridge in the time of the Revolutionary War at which time I was about Twenty one years old and that I know the said Edward Oldridge to serve in Capt Manaphah Kempton Company in Col Hathaway Regiment & General Varnum Brigade and that he and the said Edward Oldridge were well acquainted before he went into the Service and both Resided in the Town of Dartmouth in the State of Massachusetts. The said Town is now called New Bedford
James Brandon
Sworn and subscribed before me at Saratoga in the County of Saratoga State of New York June 16. 1835
Wm B. Van Benthusen
Justice of the Peace
The clerk of the County must put his certificate to this & the Seal, that Van Benthusen is a Justice of the Peace

State of New York, } ss. Saratoga County Clerk's Office.
I, JAMES W. HORTON, CLERK OF THE SAID COUNTY, do hereby certify, That Wm D. Van Benschoten whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit, was, at the date of said affidavit, a Justice of the Peace of the County of Saratoga, dwelling in said County; duly qualified; and that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Justice and verily believe that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the Seal of said County, this 28 th day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty four . James W. Horton CLERK.
Cale
Genl Geo R. Darr Gray No.
213 6 30 203

Very January 23 1855
Dear S. P. Hildreth
Com mischance do
Sir. Your letter of the 22 d Instant was this morning rec d . and perhaps I should not have felt called upon to reply, was it not for the language of the concluding part of your letter. "This requirement has been made of you before". I was not the attorney of the applicant, and all I ever want to do with the case, was to take the proof as Judge, and it would seem to forward the papers. The letter to me on your records was if ever rec d . at once handed over to the attorney, John Fitch Esq. It was his business not mine. The family of the applicant are my friends and they requested me, on my visit to Washington to look into the papers. I did so, & found that the papers had been taken before me as Judge, a fact entirely out of my recollection until this examination. Believing as I did and still do. that the proof is sufficient in any court in Christendom. I ventured to ask you to review it. You have done so, for which you have my thanks as the friend of the old soldiers family. There is one important difference in your opinion and mine, the one is powerless the other potent, — the one killeth the other giveth life.
I will send your decision to the family, I hope they will be able to find the required proof, and that justice will be meted out to them.
Truly Geo R Davis

J. L. Edwards Esq
House of Reps 11. May. 46
Dr. Sir. About a year ago. the application & papers of Edward Eldridge of the state of New York for a Pension were filed in your office but no decision or action to the knowledge of those interested, has been had thereon.
Pray let me be informed how the case stands & what impediments are in the way?
Yours truly
Col J. L. Edwards
E. D. Nelson

State of New York
Rensselaer County } ss Sarah Peabody lawful age being duly sworn deponeth and says that she is well acquainted with Edward Eldridge of Hoosick that she has known him for more than sixty years, that during the Revolutionary war this deponent was living in the town of Dartmouth now called Fair Haven in the County of Bristol State of Massachusetts that the said Edward Eldridge also resided in the same place and near neighbor to this deponent that this deponent well remembers that the said Edward during the war Revolutionary went out as a soldier in the service of his country; that in the early part of the war but the year according to this deponent cannot recollect the said Edward was absent in the service as much as three months at least, that it was frequently talked of in the family where this deponent resided at the time and in the neighborhood and it was understood and believed by all the neighbors and the said Edward's family & his acquaintances that he was absent in the service and that he was an enlisted soldier and this deponent further says that the said Edward in addition to his service under the enlistment above stated was repeatedly called out in the service both before & after the service above stated that he stood as what was termed a minute man during the Revolutionary war and was frequently called out a week & fortnight at a time and that the time spent by him in service at such times could not have been less than three months at least, that this deponent cannot state the particulars of his different

terms of service any more than that he went and was absent as is above stated in the service as she then & has always since understood to the full amount of time by her specified and that this deponent is now in her sixty seventh year & resides in the county of Berkshire in the state of Massachusetts -
Sarah Russell.
State of New York
Rensselaer County } ss.
On this 5 th day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four came Sarah Russell personally before me the subscriber and being by me duly sworn made oath and stated that the facts con= =tained in the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed were true as the same were therein stated and that she the said Sarah Russell is a credible person and that her statement is entitled to full credit
John Fitch Commissioner of Deeds for Rensselaer County